Latest KFF Health News Stories
How Philadelphia Became A ‘Mecca’ For Those Addicted To Heroin
Veteran narcotics agents describe the neighborhood a few miles from where Democrats will convene Monday as among the most flagrant open-air drug markets on the East Coast.
‘The Babies Cannot Stop Crying’: Treating Zika’s Smallest Patients
Although much of the focus has been on prevention and vaccines, experts are scrambling to help doctors and families understand the lifelong ramifications of microcephaly and other Zika-related developmental disorders.
Hospitals Ask PokemonGo Users To Master Their Monsters Elsewhere
The hospitals are citing physical safety, patient privacy, player privacy, computer security and personal safety as concerns. In other news, inventors design technology with a focus on helping people with disabilities and doctors are optimistic about organ donor apps.
In Marketing Effort, Planned Parenthood Uses Tumblr To Tackle ‘Elephant In The Room’
The organization launches a campaign, that includes personal stories of abortion, in an effort to reach a younger audience.
A Game Of Whac-A-Mole: Regulators’ Effort To Stop Insurers’ Mega-Mergers Could Backfire
Even if federal officials are able to stop the two big mergers proposed by Anthem and Aetna, insurers would likely look for other ways to bolster their competitive edge, such as buying smaller insurers.
Federal Judge In Missouri Says Individuals Can Challenge Health Law Contraception Mandate
The case was brought by a Missouri lawmaker who argued that birth control coverage in his state-provided health insurance violated his religious beliefs. In the ruling, U.S. District Judge Jean Hamilton says federal law requires that the government shall not “substantially burden” a person’s exercise of religion. Also in health law news, Humana, which announced earlier that it is leaving many state insurance marketplaces, says it will continue to sell plans in Tennessee, and Covered California gets ready for a new rule requiring enrollees have a primary care provider.
Medicare Safeguard Leaves Taxpayers Pouring Billions Into Pharma’s Pockets
Medicare’s catastrophic coverage was originally designed to protect seniors with multiple chronic conditions from the cumulatively high costs of taking many different pills, with the government paying 80 percent of the cost of drugs above a catastrophic threshold. But pricey drugs are stressing the system to its limits.
$1B Fraud Case Shines Light On Lucrative Medicare Black Market
Three people have been charged in the largest single criminal health care fraud case ever brought against individuals by the Department of Justice. “Medicare fraud has infected every facet of our health care system,” Wifredo A. Ferrer, the United States attorney in Miami, said Friday in announcing the indictments.
Clinton Likely To Make Health Care A Major Theme At Convention
Stat raises five questions about how the issue will play at this week’s Democratic National Convention. Other media outlets look at what health care will look like under a new president and how Hillary Clinton’s Medicare buy-in plan might appeal to insurers and employers.
‘Traditional Catholic’ Kaine’s Personal Qualms About Abortion A Contrast To Clinton
Although Hillary Clinton’s running mate Tim Kaine says “the right role for government is to let women make their own decisions,” he has some history with supporting anti-abortion programs that could make the topic a vulnerable spot for the Democrat in his debates with Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence.
A selection of opinions on health care from around the country.
Research Roundup: International Travel Risks; Telehealth; Freestanding ERs; Methadone Use
Each week, KHN compiles a selection of recently released health policy studies and briefs.
Outlets report on health news from Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Nevada, Georgia, Iowa and California.
Texas Hospitals Receive Federal Funds To Improve Access
Meanwhile, in New Hampshire, a new, 10-bed crisis unit at the state hospital is experiencing challenges and growing pains. Also, a new study details the reasons why rural hospitals struggle.
The Little-Known Tinnitus Treatment No One Is Trying
A study has found that one in 10 U.S. adults reported experiencing tinnitus, a persistent ringing, roaring or buzzing in the ears. But surprisingly few doctors are recommending behavioral therapy, which has been found to be effective. In other public health news, the first CRISPR trial with human patients may start next month, medical journals are doing little to police studies using contaminated or misidentified cells and officials warn about a potentially dangerous tick-borne disease.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that the epidemic has also hit hard in immigrant communities that are unfamiliar with both the signs of drug abuse and the labyrinth of treatment options available.
Florida AG: 24-Hour Waiting Period For Abortions ‘Reasonable,’ ‘Minimally Intrusive’
Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office filed a brief with the state’s Supreme Court as part of a more than year-long legal dispute over the requirement. Elsewhere, Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is fundraising off rules regulating the disposal of fetal remains.
Most HIPAA Violation Complaints Quietly Closed By Government Through Private Letter
Most cases alleging a doctor’s violation of patient privacy or medical information security are closed out of public view through these letters. ProPublica now posts hundreds of them in its HIPAA Helper tool. In other health IT news, a New York surgeon experiments with augmented reality to help understand the brain.
FDA Lags On Rule To Strengthen Protections For Patients Using Generics
Only makers of brand-name drugs have a legal duty to update their warning labels if they learn of new risks or side effects, the Supreme Court ruled five years ago. But that leaves millions of users in an unregulated safety gap. Meanwhile, startups are in a race to develop a drug that targets the pathway that helps mellow patients out.
